Michigan vs. North Carolina: Preview, How to Watch and Game Thread

The Michigan basketball team is on a mini Revenge Tour tonight, taking on the North Carolina Tar Heels at home as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

The Wolverines went to Chapel Hill last November and got thoroughly whooped, almost single-handedly by Luke Maye, who scored 27 points, collected six boards and dished three assists.

For that game ending in an 86-71 score, you would think it was more competitive, but that just was not the case. Michigan gave up 51 first-half points and made just 42.4 percent of its field goals. Going 5-of-11 from the free throw line also did not help the Wolverines that night.

But this is a new team with a great chance to deliver some payback. Freshman phenom forward Ignas Brazdeikis is leading the team in scoring with 94 points (15.7 per game). Senior Charles Matthews is not far behind, averaging 14.5 points per game.

Jon Teske has done well filling the void Moritz Wagner left behind, as he leads the team in blocks, by far, with 12, and rebounds with 36. Junior point guard Zavier Simpson is in the top-25 in the country in total assists with 36, and continues to be a defensive monster.

Sophomore guard Jordan Poole has been off to a slow start so far, but sophomore forward Isaiah Livers has come on hot, making 55 percent of his 3-pointers. He also has improved defensively and has become an asset off the bench.

North Carolina combats with four players averaging double-digit scoring — senior guard Cameron Johnson (16.4), freshman guard Coby White (15.7), Maye (14.4) and freshman forward Nassir Little (12.9).

The Tar Heels are averaging a whopping 96.5 points per game and have scored 100 or more in three of their six games. Needless to say, Michigan’s defense, will be tested tonight.

The Tar Heels can hit you from pretty much anywhere on the court. If the Wolverines continue to play elite defense, they will have a good chance to collect another great win in the non-conference season. And that would go a long way when it comes time to be seeded for the NCAA Tournament.

How to Watch

Teams: No. 7 Michigan Wolverines (6-0) vs. No. 11 North Carolina Tar Heels (6-1)

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 28

Location: Crisler Center — Ann Arbor, Mich.

Tipoff: 9:30 p.m. ET

Television: ESPN

Join us below for conversation throughout the game!